Jenny Bucket in Vancouver

Part 4. of the Jenny Bucket series

Light through the trees / 2022 / Photo by RCS

Dinner was delivered from Banana Leaf, one of Aunt Doris’s favorite neighborhood restaurants. The dining room, located down the hall from the tearoom, and home to another line of southeast-facing windows. Aunt Doris had set the dining table with plates, silverware, a large pitcher of cold water, and ceramic tokkuri filled with hot sake. On a long table, dinner had been placed in large bowls so everyone could serve themselves, buffet style. Nearby, the deck door was open a crack, and cool Northwest air entered as a welcome invited guest. Jenny felt like she was floating  in the sky above Stanley Park – while taking in the stateside view of the Olympic Mountains, and laughing at Will’s pure enjoyment of just being where they were. With water glasses full, and sake poured into lacquered cups, everyone had filled their plates and bowls. Before the first taste, fresh spices captured one’s senses. Jenny felt love filling the room. Her aunt looked into Jenny’s eyes, and transmitted the thought, “Would you like every meal to taste this good?” Jenny nodded and almost spoke. Instead, she smiled at Aunt Doris, stood up from her chair, said, “Excuse me, where’s your bathroom?” He aunt said, “The bathroom you’re seeking is at the far end of the living space. It has rose-peach walls, and a skylight.” “Lovely,” Jenny thought while staring into her aunt’s eyes. Aunt Doris transmitted back, “Yes, it is.” Jenny squeezed Will’s shoulder, waved at Benny and turned and walked through the living room, the kitchen, and at the end of a long hallway found a bathroom as large as her Portland apartment’s living room. She walked into the bathroom closing the door behind her. Taking in a wall mural of mossy paths through Northwest woods, above a large antique claw-foot tub, she breathed in her body and spirit from crown to toes. She turned and leaned on the sink peering into the mirror and her eyes. She spoke out loud to herself, “Did aunt Doris just speak to me telepathically? And did I answer?” Jenny answered herself with a glad-hearted “Yes.” She returned to her seat at the table and enjoyed her meal. Everyone was full of a savory meal, as good as one could find in Vancouver. Aunt Doris suggested a walk, for the two young men of her gathering. “I know it’s your first night in the city, Jenny and Will. I won’t ask for my niece all to myself for a long time. Sound agreeable?” Jenny’s eyes shifted to Will. His expression smiled a yes back at her. Benny stood, and said to Aunt Doris, “Thank you for the invite to share a meal with you Ms. Bucket. Such a pleasure to meet Jenny and Will.” Aunt Doris stood and gave Benny a quick hug, whispering, “Give that to your grandfather.” And saying louder, “Take Will on a walk through the nearby trails in Stanley Park. A perfectly perfect time to visit tall trees is at twilight.” When Jenny and Aunt Doris were alone, Doris gestured for Jenny to accompany her outside to the porch. After settling into cushioned seats, they shared a tokkuri of hot sake and for a while just breathed in the air and their view. Aunt Doris began by saying, “You’re welcome here anytime, and I want us to get to know each other.” “Oh, dear aunt Doris, me too,” Jenny said while reaching over and touching her aunt’s hand. Aunt Doris smiled as the sky slowly darkened around them. She turned and said to Jenny, “You heard my voice in your mind, when you were in the bathroom. I could tell. You can sense many of the subtler textures, ambiances, layers of existence if you’re a seer. Which you are. We both know this now. Money affords one to do quite a few things in the material world. The most important ones are time, space, and privacy. The ability to spend your time as you choose is open to all, but only seen, felt, recognized as a true possibility by a few. I’d like us to use our time on this visit wisely, specifically, getting to know each other on several levels. You’re destined to make many imaginings and experiments come to fruition in the world. We’re going to explore some of these upcoming events in your life. We are meeting again for a reason, Jenny. Not just getting together as long-lost relatives, but we’re meeting for the first time as equals. Do you believe me, Jenny Bucket?” Jenny breathed in the nighttime air and looked at her aunt’s lined yet timeless face, and said, “Oh, I most certainly do, Aunt Doris.